Knowledge of stroke in Hong Kong Chinese

A random telephone survey on knowledge of stroke was conducted in 1,238 Hon g Kong Chinese. Most respondents realized that effective treatment was avai lable, that stroke was preventable and that it could be fatal or disabling. Sudden unilateral limb weakness, sudden speech and language disturbances, and sudden vertigo and clumsiness were better recognized than other warning symptoms of stroke. A slightly better recognition of symptoms of stroke wa s seen in those with a belief of knowing about stroke, providing a correct description of stroke, those with a positive household history of stroke an d those with a better knowledge of potential risk factors. Most respondents would choose desirable actions if stroke was suspected in their family mem bers or themselves. Friends and relatives, newspapers and magazines, and ma ss media provided the major sources of their knowledge.